Gladys Kuchta is obviously the reason this set was issued despite being taken from a less than reliable source tape. Kuchta was a great singer, underrated in her day probably because she had very little studio recording career (there is a Fidelio on Nonesuch that was reissued by Gala about two decades ago). I want to report that she was a great Isolde too, but this broadcast catches her in less than optimal form. Her voice is admirably steady and colorful and she has no difficulties with the high Bs and Cs, yet for whatever reason, predominantly in the first act, she sings sharp much of the time, an issue I've never heard her have before (or at least not so persistently). It lessens as the evening progresses and in Act Three it's hardly a problem at all (her Liebestod is glorious). Beirer is a powerful Tristan though his intonation in the Act Two duet isn't flawless. He makes an even stronger impression in Act Three, abetted by some cuts although I suspect one of them is a case of missing music rather than a cut by Leitner (the "Und drauf Isolde" section is missing the first few lines). Crass is a wonderful Marke and Hoffman a sturdy Brangäne. Leitner provides a solid framework for the cast.The sound is certainly listenable, but there are maddening volume shifts, occasional garbled tape, and missing bits and pieces. Nevertheless, Kuchta fans should acquire this despite my reservations above.

Thank God somebody else has recognized the worth of the great Gladys Kuchta! I really only know her from the three Met broadcasts she participated in: she was Sieglinde in Walküre with Nilsson, Vickers, Edelmann, and Leinsdorf on December 23, 1961; Gutrune in Götterdämmerung from the same broadcast Ring cycle on January 27, 1962, with Nilsson, Hopf, and Leinsdorf ; and Donna Anna in Don Giovanni opposite Siepi, Peerce, and Corena on December 28, 1963, with Rosenstock conducting. Her Sieglinde performance is beyond fabulous, gorgeously and sensitively sung, and the performance as a whole is very fine, better than the rough and ready Götterdämmerung the next month. She was also Leonore in the Fidelio released on Nonesuch records, but I’ve never heard it. In any case, brava!

I loved this recording. Everyone is well cast and the performance, as a whole, is a very satisfying performance of Tristan. Leitner conducts with passion, Crass has a very beautiful tone, Hoffman is a strong well sung Brangane and Alexander a sturdy Kurvenal. Beirer sounds quite good as Tristan while Kuchta is really wonderful as Isolde. Her tone has warmth, she has the full range for the role and she brings something very real to the role. This is not a Brunnhilde type Isolde but rather a warm, feminine , human being. She is very worthwhile investigating.

Very interesitng is Mastromei as Melot, Kuchta and Beirer are impresive in their title roles. There is a mistake in notes, where is written that Beirer is singing Isolde and Kuchta Tristan. Hoffman, Alexander and Crass are very convincing as Brangäne,Kurwenal and Marke. Orchestra and chorus seem very good. It's nice to have this CD in my collection.

It’s good to know that these priceless documents are being saved and disseminated!! I’d love to have things by Rudolph Gerlach-Rusnak from German Radio or wherever. I may decide that I cannot live without Kuchta, also!